Workers’ lockers are loaded on vans at the Hall’s plant (Image: Gordon Jack/Scotimage.com)

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WORKERS left the once-thriving Hall’s of Broxburn factory for the last time yesterday – as their lockers were carted off to the dump.

In a sad picture of economic decline, the meat processing plant was finally silenced, leaving hundreds of workers on the scrapheap and a town fearful for the future.

The lockers, still bearing the names of redundant staff, were once full of personal items and work clothes.

Yesterday, they were taken away in vans as the town came to terms with a future without their biggest employer.

The sorry scene marked the end of an 80-year era for generations of families who have worked at Hall‘s.

Almost 1700 employees have lost their jobs since Dutch owners Vion announced in October the factory would close this year.

The loss of such a large employer has had a crippling effect on Broxburn’s economy, with many businesses reporting a downturn in trade.

Broxburn’s deserted Main Street (Image: David Johnstone)

Last night, Labour MP Graeme Morrice described the factory’s closure as grim news for the area and blasted Vion for their lack of commitment to the town.

He said: “This is a big blow for Broxburn and the surrounding communities and a truly depressing situation for the ex-workers and their families.

“It is a disgrace that Vion have not done more for their loyal employees and the local community that have supported the company for decades.

“The Westminster and Holyrood Governments have to work together to make sure they support these workers and provide them with the adequate training and skills to help them get back into employment as quickly as possible.

“Vion should now gift the derelict Hall’s site to the council so that it can be redeveloped for the benefit of the local community.”

But businesses say Broxburn is already like a ghost town, with empty shops and deserted streets.

Many traders on the Main Street have noticed the difference since Hall’s started to shed jobs.

Lynne Quinney, 50, who works at Fotocard gift shop, said it had been virtually empty for days. She said: “Ever since the redundancies started, people have been fleeing the town, mostly to find work.

“The shop has been much quieter than usual. Some days it’s dead.

“This time of year with Valentine’s Day approaching is normally busy for us. Not this year, though.

“We used to rely on a lot of the factory workers for business.

“They would often pop in between shifts, or during lunch breaks, and spend money. We always knew when it was payday at Hall’s.

“A lot of that trade has gone now.

“It’s the same for most shopkeepers on the Main Street here. Everybody feels quite vulnerable.” The mum of three added: “Over the years, I’ve known so many people who have worked there, family included.

“The factory has provided stable employment for so many people locally and it’s so sad that has been wiped out.

“The local primary school roll has reduced dramatically where parents have had to move out of town just to survive. It’s tragic.”

Muhammed Tareq, who runs the Nickel ‘N’ Dime gift shop, also said business has been affected by the plant’s closure.

The 42-year-old added: “We sell all kinds of knick-knacks in here – including household items. The Hall’s workers would often come in to stock up on essentials, knowing they were getting a bargain.

“But with that workforce now gone, it’s dreadfully quiet.”

His colleague, Lindsaye Moncur, 40, added: “Eventually, everything will shut down in Broxburn.

“Already locals are travelling to Livingston for their supermarket shopping, simply because there’s not a supermarket in Broxburn.

“The only one we have is a small Scotmid. The rest have all shut.

“Times are worrying and I fear there’s worse still to come.”

Florist Yvonne Couston opened her shop, Just To Say, in December. And while she hasn’t suffered a massive decline in business, she admitted there were far fewer shoppers in town since the factory gates shut.

Yvonne, 47, said: “It’s too early for me to say whether trade is down because I only opened in December.

“However, because it’s a specialist business – people always order flowers for various occasions – I seem to be ticking over at the moment.

“But the town has definitely been quiet since the factory workers left.”

Since October, Hall’s staff have been laid off in dribs and drabs. All the production workers have now left but a few administration staff were at the site yesterday. They will leave at the end of this month.

Norman Hale, 65, from Stirling, has worked in the finance department for six years. He said: “It’s very sad to see this moment come.

“There’s a bad atmosphere inside and I’ve still got two weeks to go.

“But I’m one of the lucky ones because I’m at the age where I can retire. I don’t need to worry about getting another job.

“It’s been shocking for everyone involved but, being in the finance department, I saw this coming.

“Hall’s closing is sad, especially for the area and the people that have worked here for a long time.

“You want to leave a workplace knowing that they’re going strong.

“But all we’re leaving behind is an empty shell.”

Usdaw union convener Esther Stewart has worked at Hall’s for 11 years – along with five other family members, including her brother, sister-in-law and their daughter.

Esther, 52, left the site last Friday and now faces the daunting prospect of finding another job.

She said: “The final days in the factory were torturous.

“The place was virtually empty and all the furniture was being moved out.

“It was almost a relief to finally leave.

“I now need to find a new job and there’s not much out there – unless you want to earn the minimum wage. It’s depressing.”

Last week, Browns Food Group, based in Dumfries and Galloway, agreed a deal to buy the Hall’s brand and recipes, saving the jobs of 50 delivery drivers.

In December, Finance Secretary John Swinney agreed a £29million economic development package to be invested to support workers and the communities affected by the closure.